• December 22, 2004:  N-LIGHTEN NEBRASKA                                

[PRESS RELEASE:  For immediate release.  Please include in your news as soon as possible, and thank you for allowing us to inform the citizens of our area through your media.  Please call if you have any questions or for more information. 402 375-2200.]

Wayne -- Did you indulge a bit during the holidays?  Did you stray from your good nutrition and exercise habits or are you ready to begin a program and focus on a “new you”?  Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department (NNPHD), Wayne State College Exercise Science Department, and UNL Cooperative Extension offices are working in conjunction with the Nebraska Sports Council to promote the “N-Lighten Nebraska” wellness program in Cedar, Dixon, Thurston and Wayne counties.

N-Lighten officials are expecting more than 7,500 entrants for the four-month program that helps participants adopt healthy nutrition and physical activity habits.  Last year, a record 5,799 N-Lighten Nebraska entrants logged 1.77 million activity miles and lost more than eight tons of unwanted weight.

 To enter, participants form teams of 2-10 people, register online or submit an entry form and follow the weekly tips.  Depending on the division entered, team captains periodically submit team weight or accumulated activity miles and can check their team's progress on a real-time leaderboard posted on the N-Lighten Nebraska website.  The information is updated immediately and teams can check on their competition!  The program begins Feb. 1, but teams are urged to enter by Jan. 14 to receive materials by the start date.

 Cost is $15 per person or $13 for online entrants, and besides the weekly nutrition and exercise tips, all entrants receive a free T-shirt and free entry in the 2005 Cornhusker State Games volkswalk.  Shipping of team boxes is free.  Team captains will each also receive a free multi-function pedometer.   Pedometers may be purchased at a discount by team members upon registration.  However, Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department is offering a free pedometer to the first 75 people in our district who register.  Call the NNPHD office in Wayne (402-375-2200) for details.  

Officials also announced the development of N-Lighten Kids, designed to help increase physical activity among school-age children.  N-Lighten Kids offers a three-month program and/or a school-wide activity day on May 11.  Both options are free, and participating schools that meet minimum standards will be eligible for one of ten $500 awards.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our communities to come together for a fun, healthy event.  Students can participate as a class, families can participate as a team, teams can be organized at work, or just get a group of friends together for a regular walk-n-talk time. It’s great that everyone will be involved in the same program – statewide and can track their progress immediately. It would be exciting to see all individuals, schools, businesses, and community organizations uniting to improve the health of our communities.” says Kelly Heithold of NNPHD. 

Entry forms and information are available at www.n-lightennebraska.com or by calling the Nebraska Sports Council at 1-800-30-GAMES.

N-Lighten Nebraska is sponsored by Healthy Choice, a ConAgra Foods brand headquartered in Omaha.  Contributing organizations and businesses include: Nebraska Health & Human Services, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension, Tiger Coaching and Personal Training, Nebraska YMCA’s, Nebraska On The Move, Walk Nebraska and Lincoln Orthopaedic Center.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Kelly Heithold (402-375-2200)

• October 26, 2004:  HEART TRUTH:  WOMEN AT RISK                                  

  [PRESS RELEASE:  For immediate release.  Please include in your news as soon as possible, and thank you for allowing us to inform the citizens of our area through your media.  Please call if you have any questions or for more information. 402 375-2200.

  Ponca – More than 100 area women gathered at the Ponca State Park Education Center on Monday, October 25 for a luncheon, fashion show and educational program about heart disease, the #1 killer of women in America.  Joan Burney, well-known public speaker and humorist, emceed the fashion show and also spoke about the importance of humor and laughter to our health.  Dr. Barb Engebretsen, exercise physiologist and associate professor at Wayne State College, educated the group on various aspects of heart disease.  Risk factors for heart disease such as age, gender, and family history were presented with the modifiable behaviors such as smoking, physical inactivity and diabetes highlighted.  Heart disease kills 1 of every 3 women in America, but there are things that can be done immediately to decrease your chance of having a heart attack or stroke.  Dr. Engebretsen emphasized the power that women have on society’s health.  When women take care of themselves, they influence family and friends and everyone benefits.

  Symptoms of heart attacks in women can be different than symptoms in men.  For this reason, women’s symptoms are sometimes ignored or misdiagnosed.  The most common symptom for heart disease for both men and women is chest pain or discomfort.  However women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting and jaw or back pain.  Women need to learn to recognize the symptoms of heart attack and to call 9-1-1 before it’s too late.  

  Many of the women attending the luncheon wore red attire.  The red dress is the national symbol for women and heart disease.  The symbol has been popularized through The Heart Truth, a national public education campaign that served as a catalyst for Monday’s event.  Red was also the color of the day for the clothing that was modeled during the fashion show portion of the event. 

  Dee Engel, wife of senator Pat Engel, and Judy Connealy, wife of senator Matt Connealy were special guests along with beauty salon stylists and massage therapists from the four-county Northeast Nebr. Public Health District of Wayne, Dixon, Cedar and Thurston counties.  The stylists and therapists were encouraged to distribute educational information about heart disease to their clientele.  These places give women a chance to focus on themselves and provide a convenient outlet for the distribution of lifesaving information about women’s health issues.

  The Heart Truth Style Show and luncheon was possible through a grant to the Northeast Nebraska Public Health Dept. from the Nebraska Cardiovascular Health Program of the Nebraska Health and Human Services System.

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• October 8, 2004:  HEART TRUTH:  WOMEN AT RISK                                  

  [PRESS RELEASE:  For immediate release.  Please include in your news as soon as possible, and thank you for allowing us to inform the citizens of our area through your media.  Please call if you have any questions or for more information. 402 375-2200.]

       The idea of a heart attack for most people brings to mind images of a man clutching his chest or left arm.  But women are by no means invulnerable to heart disease.  In fact, heart disease is the #1 killer of women in the United States.  Nearly twice as many women in the U.S. die of heart disease and stroke as from all forms of cancer, including breast cancer.  However, many women do not realize they are at risk! 

       The Heart Truth, developed by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, is a nationwide public education campaign aimed at women ages 35+.  The goals of the campaign are to give women a wake up call about their risk of heart disease and to build awareness of the signs and symptoms of heart disease.  A specially designed “Red Dress Pin” serves as the national symbol of women and heart disease awareness with the message that “heart disease doesn’t care what you wear”. 

       The Heart Truth coalition of Northeast Nebraska is planning a time of fun and education at the Ponca State Park Education Center on Monday, Oct. 25, 11:00-1:00.  The event will include a “red dress” style show highlighting styles from various retail establishments including: Swan’s Apparel, Diamond Center, Stadium Sports, Pamida, and Weekenders of Wayne and All-Native of Sioux City.  Joan Burney, well-known columnist, author, and motivational humorist will emcee the event.  Dr. Barb Engebretsen, exercise physiologist at Wayne State College will educate participants so they can estimate their own risk for developing heart disease and provide information for reducing these risk factors.  A mini-health fair as well as blood pressure checks will also be available.

       The National Heart Truth campaign targets area beauty salons and massage therapists as educational outreach sites. These sites were chosen because that is where many women go to take a few moments to relax and focus on themselves.  They are an ideal setting to place valuable health information that will motivate women to act now to protect their hearts and convince other women to take positive action as well.  Displays of educational materials will be provided for them to take back to their salons.  To that end, salon owners and stylists are invited to attend free of charge. 

       The public is invited to attend for a cost of $10.  This includes a soup/salad luncheon, the style show, educational presentation and mini-health fair.  Local sponsors for the event include Northeast Nebraska Public Health Dept., Wayne County American Red Cross, Every Woman Matters-Goldenrod Hills, Omaha Tribe Diabetes Program, Providence Medical Center, Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Pender Community Hospital, Mercy Medical Center.

       National partners in this campaign include the American Heart Association, the National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, the Office of Women’s Health and the National Women’s Health Information Center.  Partners in our state include the Nebraska Health and Human Service System’s Cardiovascular Health Program and Office of Women’s Health, the American Heart Association of Nebraska and many others.

  Please contact Northeast Nebraska Public Health Dept., 375-2200, (402) 375-2260 for tickets.  Deadline is Wednesday, Oct. 20.

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• October 1, 2004:  NNPHD GOES ON-LINE!  The Northeast Nebraska Public Health Department is proud to announce that, for the first time since its inception, it is able to provide news and information via the internet to the northeast Nebraska residents it serves.  The site features health news and articles relevant to northeast Nebraskans as well as contact information for local agencies health, safety and emergency agencies.   

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• September 15, 2004:  SAFE AND HEALTHY CHILDREN: OUR RESPONSIBILITY

  [PRESS RELEASE:  For immediate release.  Please include in your news as soon as possible, and thank you for allowing us to inform the citizens of our area through your media.  Please call if you have any questions or for more information. 402 375-2200.]

  The public is invited to attend the second Responsibility Roundtable discussion, hosted by Northeast Nebraska Public Health Dept., concerning maternal and child health in our area.  The focus question to be addressed: “How can we, as advocates for children, strategically network in order to provide a better maternal and child health environment in Northeast Nebraska?”   Representatives of various health agencies, education and child care agencies, and interested parties met in May to begin networking and discussing this issue. Participants of the second roundtable will continue to build on the shared vision for a healthy, safe and secure environment for children and families. 

  Northeast Nebraska Public Health Dept. has also completed a Needs Assessment in Wayne, Cedar, Dixon and Thurston counties. Results from this new, recently released “Northeast Nebraska Public Health District Needs Assessment Report” will be presented by Wayne State College’s Social Science Research Center.  Current data concerning the health of our families in Northeast Nebr. will be discussed.

  This event will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 28, 8:30-2:00 at Ponca State Park Education Center.  Registration fee is $10 (includes lunch), and may be mailed to NNPHD, 117 West 3^rd St., Wayne, NE 68787.  Contact NE Nebr. Public Health Dept. at (402) 375-2200, 1-800-375-2260 or nnphd@huntel.net for further details.  Funding for this roundtable is provided through a grant from the Nebraska MCH Title V block grant.

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